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Philippine presidential candidate and Davao city mayor Rodrigo 'Digong' Duterte kisses the Philippine flag during a "Miting de Avance" (last political campaign rally) before the national elections at Rizal park in Manila in the Philippines May 7, 2016.

A controversial mayor is set to become the next president of the Phillipines. But who is Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte? And what is at stake for the nation of 103 million people?

The Philippines will hold elections Monday to elect a new president in a crucial time for the southeast Asian archipelago. Anti-establishment firebrand Rodrigo Duterte is a favorite for victory in a vote that could cause shockwaves as far away as Washington.

Despite the country recording encouraging growth, at an average of 6 percent per year, under outgoing President Benigno Aquino the former Spanish colony still has crippling inequality and has yet to resolve a long running dispute with China over the sovereignty of islands in the South China Sea. While the Islamist terror faction, Abu Sayyaf who beheaded a Canadian citizen last week, continue to pose a threat to national security from its bases in the southern Jolo and Basilan islands.

5 Things You Need to Know About the Election in the Philippines

teleSUR presents key facts about the election and what you need to know about the end of President Benigno Aquino’s six year stint as head of state. READ MORE

50 Million Filipinos Ready to Vote, Trump-Like Candidate Leads

Rodrigo Duterte, a city mayor who has drawn comparisons with Donald Trump, is comfortably ahead of his for rivals for the presidency. READ MORE

The 'Philippine Donald Trump' Vows to Kill Criminals

Just like U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, the Philippine presidential front-runner Rodrigo Duterte knows how to draw attention, giving controversial statements. READ MORE

Of the four major presidential candidates in the elections to be held on May 9, former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is now widely considered the front-runner and most likely winner because he has topped all the major polls in April, performed well in presidential debates, and has gathered the biggest and most enthusiastic public meetings in all the regions of the Philippines. READ MORE

Terror Threat

Canadian hostage John Ridsdel, a former mining executive, was executed last week by Abu Sayyaf militants in the Philippines after ransom payment was denied by Canadian authorities. READ MORE

Dozens of Philippine Soldiers Wounded in Clash with Militants

Some 22 Philippine soldiers were wounded last month in a firefight with Islamic terrorists, the military said, a day after the release of a retired Italian priest taken hostage in the Muslim-populated south of the country. READ MORE

South China Sea

China has agreed with Brunei, Cambodia and Laos that the South China Sea territorial dispute should not affect relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian National (ASEAN), according to China's Foreign Ministry. READ MORE

US, Philippines Begin War Games as Tension with China Continues

About 8,000 U.S. and Filipino troops staged annual military exercises in April against a backdrop of tension over China's greater assertiveness in the South China Sea though a Philippine commander played that down as the reason for the drills. READ MORE

Japan's Historic Show of Military Strength in the Philippines

A Japanese submarine made a port call in the Philippines, the first in 15 years, back on April, 3 in a show of growing military cooperation amid tension triggered by China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. READ MORE

UN to Settle Maritime Dispute Between China and Philippines

A United Nations tribunal at The Hague heard arguments from the Philippines for sovereignty over some of the hotly contested Spratly Islands. READ MORE